For me, whenever the therapist takes time off, I also take about the same amount of time off from either end of the time period. So if the therapist is leaving for a month - I will cancel the two weeks before the woman leaves and the two weeks after she reports returning. After the first week, where it is odd because of the change in schedule, I find I feel less anxiety and stress in my life in general. Once I started doing this, the absences have become rather something to look forward to. Not rushing back to the woman when she returns lets me feel less trapped. I have also used that time to see more other therapists to get information.